Aucoin's $4M/yr contract resembles a boat anchor a lot less than it did this time last week, and frankly, getting two legitmate NHL defensemen in exchange for Pronger might be the only way to add them.

Apparently Anaheim is a front runner. I can't for the life of me imagine what this deal might involve. I can't imagine Niedermayer or Selanne coming back the other way and Edmonton doesn't need a goalie at this point.

Anaheim's considered one of the most prospect-laden organizations in the league, although in terms of right-now readiness, there's little they'll part with.

As for that Chicago deal, that'd be a good move for the Oilers to make. Aucoin had a tough season last year due to injury, but Seabrook is fantastic. He's young and he can contribute right now. I'm not sure where they'll find a better deal than that.

If I was the GM, lol, I wouldn't take anything less than Seabrook, Barker and Keith from Chicago. Remember we're shooting for the stars here, as is Mr. Lowe.

If we're going to give up a Bobby Orr defensemen in this day in age, the price better be damn high. Now that Florida is out of the sweepstakes for unrestricted free agents, why don't we sweat them for Horton and Bouwmeester.

At the very least, there is more we could take from Keenan. He's the type of GM who'd make that sort of deal. He has a history of it.

riversq: Yup, there are better options out there other than Aucoin. Totally agreed.

In a warped logic sorta way--ok, it's just a screwy hypothetical--it's too bad the Oil can't just designate Pronger as an RFA *and* yet retain the contract. Then Bowmeester, Horton and a high draft pick are a bargain compared to five first rounders...

Obviously a lot of RFAs in that list. Considering the inflation of the last few days, the 1st rounder is necessary (helps balance out the financial "bargain" value of the deal--Pronger is a relative bargain, the RFAs...?).

I'd really be leery of a Nashville deal since a clear-out, physical defenseman was the only thing the Preds were missing last year. Detroit should be even more concerned...

Anyway, one of 'em will step up to the plate. We could always put MAB in to sweeten the deal. As things stand, we need Tarnstrom back to quarterback the PP anyway (along with the new #44 ;-).

Still gutted by the old #44 though. Getting fair value for Brutus and his contract looks to be difficult...

RiversQ, let's say we stipulate the underlying thought there (roughly, that forwards are event drivers moreso than defensemen, they can make a bigger difference). There's still the problem that you're not building a team from scratch here. The Oilers need to bolster their depth chart at D a lot more than at FWD.

Yes I thought Jason Smith had a terrific playoff, but Staios & Smith is not a top pair.

The Oilers need to bolster their depth chart at D a lot more than at FWD.

I think the point is that you can bolster the depth chart at D without having to spend a ton of money to do it. You are better off paying more for Talent at Forward, and paying less for Serviceability at Defence. It's not a perfect example, but what comes to mind for me is the starter/closer contrast in baseball. Why pay millions of dollars for someone who only affects the outcome for 80-100 innings, rather than spending it on someone who can affect the outcome over 200-300 innings? Sure, you need to have both, but when it comes to allocating resources, it's better spent on the starter.

Sorry Oiler fans, it looks like you got fleeced by the Ducks. Lupul and picks for Pronger... can you say Thorton trade? It'll be interesting to see how many picks and who the non-roster player is. You gotta think that Lowe has the line on some free agents otherwise he wouldn't make this deal.

According to TSN, Pronger is heading to Edmonton for Luopul, a non roster player and some high picks. I feel a little sick to my stomach right now. I hope this isn't true. We didn't even get a defencemen back the other way.

The Ducks? And that's all the Oil get back? I knew they couldn't get fair value for Brutus, nevermind full value...but this deal flat out sucks. Only one roster player? High picks from a conference champ? Big deal. Pronger screwed the Oil, and this just brings it home...